After the departure of morning mainstay Mancow, WKQX (Q101)/Chicago has announced the formation of a new morning show team. The new program, which will premiere Monday, September 18, will be hosted by Alan Cox. Cox began his radio career at WLUP/Chicago on the Jonathon Brandmeier show, and later moved to the morning drive slot at WXDX/Pittsburgh. Cox's co-anchors will be James Engel, a graduate of the Upright Citizens Brigade comedy troupe, and Ginger Jordan, who was previously morning show co-host and newscaster at WXSS/Milwaukee. Michael McCarthy will lead the morning show's team of writers and previously wrote for and performed with comedy institutions such as Saturday Night Live, the Second City in Chicago and Hollywood's IO West (formerly Improv Olympic). Aemelia Scott, also formerly of Second City, will join him as part of the writing team.

"We are really excited about the team we have assembled for the show," said Q101 PD Mike Stern. "We've crossed the nation to bring together an extraordinarily talented mix of individuals with ties to some of the most respected comedy institutions in the world. The group is really gelling, and we're looking forward to a great launch on September 18. Our show will be completely unconventional, and each member of the ensemble has distinct talents to contribute."

"Chicago should prepare itself for something completely fresh and new," added Marv Nyren, VP/GM of Emmis Radio Chicago. "This is the morning show for a new generation, mixing news, comedy and commentary. It's timely, topical, and is being tailor-made specifically to suit Chicago's sensibility."

Other members of the new morning team will be news correspondent Steve Tingle, "Man On The Street" David Anthony Ball, producer Ned Spindle, and executive producer Jim Lynam, who served as executive producer of Mancow's Morning Madhouse for the last 10 years. The program will air Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 10 a.m.